Delectable, and deceptively simple, chicken and artichokes in wine sauce

When I was a kid, my mother took a cooking class with Giuliano Bugialli and learned how to make this dish. It tastes so rich and divine that you'd never suspect it's so economical and quick to make! She'd let me request a special meal for my birthday, and I often requested this dish.

This recipe is deceptively simple. The wine in the sauce binds the dish together and elevates it beyond the sum of its parts.

You can use either frozen or canned artichoke hearts for this dish. Cut the chicken in pieces a little smaller than the artichoke heart halves.

The final dish is velvety and creamy (without cream, of course), and fragrant with wine and the artichokes' tangy taste. The chicken is very tender. This is a company dish, a supper good enough for a dinner party, but easy and quick enough for a weeknight.

Chicken and Artichokes in Wine Sauce

Serves 4.

2 cups artichoke hearts, frozen and thawed, or canned and drained

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 1 pound

1 1/2 cups flour

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

2 cups dry white wine

1/2 lemon

Flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, to garnish (optional)

Cut the artichoke hearts in half lengthwise. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch to a side. In a medium bowl, mix the flour with about 1 teaspoon salt and a generous quantity of black pepper. Toss the chicken pieces in the flour.

Set a large skillet (at least 12 inches wide) over medium-high heat. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the artichokes. Cook for about 5 minutes or until lightly browned on each side. Remove the artichokes from the skillet and transfer to a plate. Set aside.

Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in the skillet along with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Lift the chicken pieces out of the flour and arrange in the skillet. Saute the chicken pieces for 5 to 7 minutes or until golden brown on both sides. Add the artichokes back to the pan.

Pour in the white wine and stir and scrape up any bits on the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer and let it simmer for 8 to 10 minutes over medium heat. The sauce will thicken. Stir well to coat everything with the wine sauce. Stir in a few squeezes of fresh lemon juice.

Serve with pasta or couscous. Garnish, if desired, with finely chopped parsley.

Chicken and Artichokes in Wine Sauce

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